As many of you that personally know me can attest, I am a huge fan of Starbucks! Rain, sleet, wind, or snow - I will be there first thing in the morning to get my soy latte. If I'm having a really difficult day, you can bet on the fact that I will be back there again for another pick-me-up. With so many gluten free drinks to choose from one can never get bored!
I must admit that I keep the Starbucks customer service number (1-800-235-2883) on speed-dial, so that every time a new drink is introduced I can call and find out the gluten free status. The latest I've heard is that all beverages are gluten free with the exception of frappucinos that contain vanilla bean powder, malt powder, and/or java chips.
So, now that I have clued you into my Starbucks fanaticism you can understand how happy I was when in the Spring of '07, Starbucks introduced a gluten free brownie called the Ancho Chile Brownie. It was part of a Latin American promotion they were having at the time.
For the 2 short weeks that these brownies were available, I went to Starbucks every chance I got to get one and I must say that the experience brought tears to my eyes. It was so amazing to be able to walk into a mainstream store and get a snack from the pastry shelf and walk out of Starbucks with my little brown bag and feel like any other "normal" Starbucks customer.
Unfortunately, these brownies were only available for a very short time. However, since then there have been many rumors circulating that Starbucks would soon introduce a line of gluten free products.
Last year, Starbucks decided to ask its customers for a "Starbucks Idea." There was an overwhelming response of people who wanted to see gluten free products offered at Starbucks. So, that is exactly what they are planning on giving us - gluten free treats!
However, they want to know exactly what we want. So, please head on over to their blog, Ideas In Action, and answer a few simple questions:
1) What specific gluten free products would you like to see in our stores?
2) Would you prefer to see it individually packaged or unpackaged?
3) How would you like to learn we have gluten free products? For example, would you like to see it on a sign or would you prefer the barista to tell you?
4) Where would you like to see gluten free products in the store; in the pastry case or placed elsewhere?
5) The ingredient costs of gluten free products tend to be higher, so would you understand if we charged more for the gluten free version?
Also, Starbucks is currently offering one gluten free packaged product. If you haven't checked them out yet be sure to try the Amaretti cookie (photographed above).
Friday, January 16, 2009
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